PC Knifeworks

Sarcasm is really hard to convey over the internet, I've found... :p

Anywho, sounds like good info on the re-handling, CC, I may have to try that with one of my Rangers, been wanting some orange G-10 anyway. I like the look of it, and as you mentioned, it makes for a practical handle material in the woods. As for political correctness, though, I am, to borrow a term from Merle Haggard, politically uncorrect, and proud of it. I carry my Ranger RD7 or AUCK, and the heck with sheeple's opinions. 'Course, down here in Georgia we have far less sheeple, though I live near a tourist town, so I see my fair share of people scared of fingernail clippers... :D
 
CC,

I always have thought of the TacTool as more of an urban chopper /door pryer.

In the wild (orange handles or not) it would certainly keep chopping.
Slicing may, however be quite awkward.
In a slicing motion, most folks draw a knife toward them, (or pushing away) they are also rotating it up (or rotating it down if pushing away). Hence the curve on the blade gets a lot of the workout.

As Hikeeba has described, the tacTool can do jobs like chop tent stakes as well as hammer them in. It boils down to personal use, and what you need.

I can definitely see keeping one in the trunk of a squad car.
 
I actually had the same question, I was thinking about geting a Tac Tool as part of my car Kit, I figures i could use it as a pinch if i come on a car wreck and thought it would be good to have on an urban search where i may have to pry a door open.

My question is would i really be at any kind of disatvantage over say a BK 7 if for a woods tool. I mean aside from a pointed tip how much differnce is there.

I undestand what skunk is saying about slicing but i would probably do that with a small fixed blade or folder. I see this as a chopper.

Does anyone else see a disadvantage to the tool.
 
I regularly carry a Fallkniven F1 in a survival sheaths chest rig that rides right below my sternum strap on my pack. I get the evil google eye for that quite often on the trails that I hike that are popular. My view is: It's perfectly legal in all respects to have that knife (or for that matter my pistol) on my person when in that area so if they don't like it, they can pound sand. I have said so on the really rare ocassion that somebody decided to make a vocal objection to it.
 
coastalcop said:
......Yeah I know we shouldnt have to be "pc" we should have equal rights and all that. Believe me I wish that was the case, but the reality is that to avoid attention this can be the easiest way to deflect attention.........
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We DO have equal rights and all that. There is no requirement by law to act, talk, or behave in ANY kind of "PC" fashion. The only reason ANYONE (me included sometimes) act, talk, walk, and behave in a "PC" fashion is because of guilt... guilt that we allow certain pushy-whipped dregs of society to inflict upon us.
 
StretchNM, you raise an interesting point about "PC-guilt", but I don't think it holds water. There ARE laws that require you to act in a "PC" fashion, all over. I choose not to EDC a concealed 10" bowie because in my state, it's illegal. Is that "PC" or not? Am I "pussy-whipped" because I've decided not to chance a JAIL TERM by simply carrying my blade of choice? I think not, and I assure you, "PC-guilt" has nothing to do with it.
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
I actually had the same question, I was thinking about geting a Tac Tool as part of my car Kit, I figures i could use it as a pinch if i come on a car wreck and thought it would be good to have on an urban search where i may have to pry a door open.

My question is would i really be at any kind of disatvantage over say a BK 7 if for a woods tool. I mean aside from a pointed tip how much differnce is there.

I undestand what skunk is saying about slicing but i would probably do that with a small fixed blade or folder. I see this as a chopper.

Does anyone else see a disadvantage to the tool.
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ERG, per your paragraphs:

- If all you see yourself doing with the TacTool is prying and extrication, save some $$ and invest in a Wonder Bar, Pro Bar, or other decent prybar. In the twilight of my FF days I had a nifty 18" prybar that had a right angle hammer-type end opposite the usual curved, flat end. I think it was made by Estwing. Plus, the TacTool is only about 12" long, and straight. Prying windows and doors in a building would be fine, but I don't think you'd have enough leverage to tackle a car wreck. But then again, that all depends on the situation. You could certainly use it to remove a windshiled in a way similar to using an axe. you'd probably want a baton, though. The 45 degree angle near the tip would work well with the windshield IF you had to apply the tool that way. Of course, cover your patient first.

- Would you be at a disadvantage with a TacTool in place of your BK7? that depends. If it is the only blade you carry, then yes. If you also carry a multi-tool, SAK, Mora or other smaller fixed blade, you shouldn't realize too much of a difference unless you need to use it as a defense tool. A flat chisel-ground tip isn't the greatest penetrator.

- Yep, the TacTool isn't really comparable to the BK7 as far as slicing goes. Even with the reprofiled long edge on mine, the .250" chisel grind hinders slicing. It is a chopper/baton wedge/digger/gouger/pry bar.

- And yes, there are disadvantages to the TacTool, but those depend how you plan on using the tool. In some cases, it has advantages over other knives. Its functional proficiency is somewhat application dependent. Does that make sense?

The BK7 is a fine, fine tool. I have a BK7, as well. I've had it for quite some time, but believe it or not, I haven't yet used it out in the field! I know, I know, shame on me. It has become my on-and-off project knife. It has a finger choil, a coat of nifty brownish paint, and is awaiting a decision from me on different handle scales. I bought the BK7 because I heard so many great things about it. But shortly after obtaining the BK7, I acquired a few other things that leapfrogged teh BK7 in my rotation. I think you can't go wrong with any of the Becker tools.

If you are interested in trying the TacTool, watch ebay listings. I have seen some good prices there in the past. even with the demise of Camillus, the TacTool can still be had at a decent price. Whatever you decide to do, be careful and have fun!
 
Rich_S said:
How long before it becomes frowned upon to carry firestarters like mag bars and firesteels? Then we'll be seeing posts like "should I just carry matches or Bic lighters (assuming that tobacco hasn't been outlawed at this point) so as not to attract the attention of the police? I don't want them to think I'm an arsonist."
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This is exactly the slippery slope that was started with the very first post...the bigger question here is the loss of liberty involved with having to put dayglo grips on a knife by a guy that carries a gun.
 
Hkeeba Thanks for your response you did answer My question. My intention is a tool for my POV that could be a little bit of everything, I think the tac tool might fit the bill it is after all a multi tool ie. good at alot of things not great at anything.


As far as this slippery Slope I agree that it is silly that we must take caution in how our knives presented as to not offend the delicate sensibilities of others but the fact is WE MUST

If you are traveling with a freind who is not into knives and he/she is taken aback by a large knife you can easily explain to them tha merits of the choice in a calm rational way and who knows you may create a new steel addict

But if you go walking down a Trail "Packin Steel" in an obvious manner, believe it or not that soccer mom on picnic with her kids that you pass may feel threatened, she is not going to ask you the merits of carrying such a blade or its intended purpose. she may go to the ranger station and report her feelings probably adding buzz words like "running around with knives" words commonly used by the antis. you may find youself being sought out by rangers or if enough complaints come in you may find parks enacting no knife policies. Or she may take her fears to the polls on voting day.

On just about any political issue there are three differnt groups 10% for 10% against and 80% undecided

Just as inconsiderate Smokers resulted in a public disdain for the habbit, And hunters who insist on going to the liquor stores in full camo Add to the negative reputation of that sport, inconsderate knife and gun owners only serve to turn fence sitters into Antis.


So by being Rational and considerate in what you carry and how you carry it you are not giving up rights but working to protect them.
 
The Chef said:
This is exactly the slippery slope that was started with the very first post...the bigger question here is the loss of liberty involved with having to put dayglo grips on a knife by a guy that carries a gun.
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Im not sure how I lost any liberty there, I am still carrying the knife I desire to, I got to play with shaping g-10 and it is easier to find at the campsite. Additionally regardless of any legislation enacted, as it stands now I would be exempt by virtue of being LEO.

As far as the other issues, perhaps it is because of my chosen vocation, but I do see how things are observed and reported, and recognize that not all in or out of uniform have the same level of knowledge you or I possess when it comes to blades and guns.

I know how events have been reported to me, I know how responses both good and bad have been made by myself and others, and I know that in the end while good may prevail and be found not guilty, it sucks to have to post bond until your day in court.

Because I see these things on a near daily basis (I had to pull one of my guys out of the line of fire last week, the shooter ultimately did himself but not before doing his mom and dad, and the bullet that hit my guy was stopped by the vest thank God) I try to make the greatest number or people comfortable when I am around them, in the woods and at most parks, folks like you and I (people that want to truly experience nature, generally by eating it :D ) are fast becoming the minority, and the bunnyhuggers are out there in force now.

So instead of saying it really doesnt matter what these folks want, or if they are offended by my choice of tools they can go pound sand because I am exempt, I would rather not give them the opportunity to get these options banned for everyone else. Cause trust me, they aint gonna ban them for cops, only for the rest of the good folks out there and I dont want to feel that I helped that to happen.
 
I like the idea of orange G-10. I like to wear high visibility colors in the woods. If nothing else, it's courteous not to surprise people when they are also out to relax. It's not just the PC crowd that doesn't need ninjas running around their vacation spot.

The BK-7 or BK-9 are great knives. They aren't too thick to slice with, but I also prefer a smaller fixed blade for most uses. So the Tac Tool idea is appealing -- something I could hack away with and not worry about snapping the tip. Doziers, Bark Rivers, even the smaller Rangers can take care of everything except maybe clearing trails. Never underestimate the value of a SAK and a Mora. :)

Urban environments breed communities divorced from traditional outdoor pursuits. That's the sociology of it, nothing to do with a particular nation or culture or era. And urban sprawl is more densely populated than rural areas. Will you taunt the majority or teach them? Low profile isn't cowardice in the face of the enemy, it's discretion and it allows all of us and them to coexist without the grandstanding on one side or hysterics on the other.
 
Coastalcop,
I think your choices are good ones. Remember that a TACtool in a sheath looks like any other knife so the sheeple effect is meaningless. Your bright color choice for handles is wise to prevent loss in the woods. The chisel point and very thick steel of the tactool is good for getting into crates, through doors and such when your normal entry tools are not available. Always good to carry it. The BK7/BK9 are not ductile or thick enough for prying. The Brute and Campanion are and would make better compromises to a TACtool. SAK is good, but a multitool is more acceptable and more usefull in an urban environment. I like the Wave or supertool, but my favorite is the ChargeTi.
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
As far as this slippery Slope I agree that it is silly that we must take caution in how our knives presented as to not offend the delicate sensibilities of others but the fact is WE MUST... So by being Rational and considerate in what you carry and how you carry it you are not giving up rights but working to protect them.
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Well said. For an admittedly silly example, ask a random farmer for permission to hunt on his land... wearing full camo and with a fully tricked-out AR-15 over your shoulder. You stand high chance of being told to go elsewhere, at least among farmers I know. Nothing you have is illegal to own, but it sends a message. The guy in flannel carrying a lever gun presents a totally different image, so does Mr. Haircut with a $$$$ custom rifle. Whether this perception is accurate or fair makes no difference.
I don't think anyone here is suggesting meekly giving up any rights. But keeping a mellow profile can be a fine idea regardless of the law.

P.S. I still think orange scales are just plain cool :)
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
But if you go walking down a Trail "Packin Steel" in an obvious manner, believe it or not that soccer mom on picnic with her kids that you pass may feel threatened, she is not going to ask you the merits of carrying such a blade or its intended purpose. she may go to the ranger station and report her feelings probably adding buzz words like "running around with knives" words commonly used by the antis. you may find youself being sought out by rangers or if enough complaints come in you may find parks enacting no knife policies. Or she may take her fears to the polls on voting day.
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Here's the problem I have - if you said "walking down the street in the city" instead of "walking down a trail", I'd agree with you. I can see how having a 10" bowie strapped to your belt in downtown Manhattan would attract the wrong kind of attention. But we're talking about being out in the woods here, where a knife (IMO) is just as valuable of a tool as a pair of boots. What's next, soccer moms complaining that they don't like seeing people actually killing and eating the fish that they caught?
 
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